LIMBS OF YOGA

1. Dr. Akansha
Tyagi

3. THE 8-LIMBS OF YOGA
• yama = external discipline
• niyama = internal discipline
• âsana = posture
• prâñâyâma = breath regulation
• pratyâhâra = withdrawal of the senses
• dhârañâ = concentration
• dhyana = meditative absorption
• samâdhi = oneness, integration

4. YogPro

5. Yama –implies discipline and there are five specific practices
of yama that the yogi imbibes into his conduct and lifestyle:
Ahimsa (non-violence) –This means not harming anyone
including your own Self. Non-violence is practiced not just in
action but with words and thoughts as well. You become
gentle and kind to everyone including your own self and your
body.
Satya (truthfulness) –Be truthful in your words, thoughts
and actions. Say only what you truly mean and mean whatever
you say. This is not just about being truthful to others but to
your own self as well.
YAMAS

6. Asteya (non-stealing) –Practice non-stealing and non-covetedness (to
desire wrongfully). Be content with what you have and do not envy what
someone else has. Also, never take what does not truly belong to you.
Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) –Aparigraha as a practice is identifying
greed that is rooted in jealousy. Jealousy means that we desire to be
what someone else is, or to have what someone else has.
Brahmacharya (continence) –The literal translation means chastity or
the sublimation of sexual desire. But in truth, it means practicing
moderation in everything; including diet, sleep, sex and everything else.
This helps one in exercising greater control over the senses instead of
becoming a slave to it.
YAMAS

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8. Niyama –Implies observances that are meant to be practiced daily. There
are five niyamas:
Saucha (purity, external and internal) –Keep your body clean and treat it like
a holy temple. Cleanse your mind of all negative thoughts, judgments, and
criticisms. Release all anger, hatred, disappointment and other negative
feelings from your heart.
Santosha (contentment) –Accept the uniqueness of your life and of your
Self. Be content with what you have and never compare your life with
anyone else’s. Trust that you can create whatever you desire and that there
is no need to envy what someone else has.
NIYAMAS

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• Tapas (austerity) –Live a life of great personal discipline. Work hard to
purify yourself and you will definitely reap tremendous benefits. Burn away the
“IMPURITIES”
• Swadhyaya (study of scriptures) –Our life is a reflection of the beliefs and
impressions we carry in the subconscious. Feed the subconscious with
inspiring and positive information and your life will definitely transform.
Make time to read something inspirational every day. Also, try to surround
yourself with optimistic and inspiring people. Swadhyaya (Self Study)
Isvarapranidhana (surrender to the Supreme) –Let go of the ego and
surrender to the Divine. Trust that your life is unfolding day by day for your
highest good. Work hard and do your best at everything but surrender the desire
for specific results. Ishwarapranidhana (Dedication / Surrender to god and
work without selfish motives and work not for praise)
NIYAMAS

10. Asana –This is the physical practice
of yoga comprising of specifically
designed postures. Each asana serves
to strengthen and rejuvenate not just
the external organs but the internal
ones as well.
Asanas help build a strong body in
which a strong mind, a compassionate
heart can reside.
ASANA

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Pranayama –In yogic philosophy, it is
believed that life is sustained through
‘Prana.’
Through the practice of certain breathing
techniques or pranayama, the flow of prana
can be controlled. When prana is
controlled, the mind becomes stable and
the body becomes healthy. Practice of
pranayama is an integral part of any yoga
practice. Even during the practice of asanas,
the focus is always on proper breathing as
this directs prana to the internal and external
organs.
PRANAYAMA

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•Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) –This implies
disconnecting the mind from the constant misleading
stimulations of the senses.
•pratyahara (negation) is willful control of senses of
sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Well practiced
pratyahara leads one to achieve the higher step of
Dharana.
PRATYAHARA

13. •Dharana (concentration) –‘Dhar’
means to hold or to retain.
•The mind is concentrated on one
idea or word to the exclusion of all
other words. Fixing the mind on an
object is called Dharana.
•During the practice of asana,
dharana is practiced by focusing the
mind completely on inhalation and
exhalation.
•When practitioners achieve a high
level of mastery over the practice of
pratyahara, it becomes easy to
achieve a deep level of concentration
or dharana.
DHARANA

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Dhyana (meditation) –Dhyana
comes from the Sanskrit word
‘dhyayi’ which means to contemplate
or meditate. A combination of
Pratyahara and Dharana bring about
a state of Dhyana in which all
thoughts are directed towards the
Supreme.
Dhyana also known as
meditation is the constant flow
of thought. This is the ultimate
step which of practiced well
leads to the highest step called
samadhi.
DHAYANA

15. Samadhi (the state of pure
happiness) –Samadhi is the highest
state of consciousness any individual
can attain. It is the merging of the
individual Self into the Supreme
Consciousness or Universal Soul. This
is the ultimate goal of yoga
because, in Samadhi, all thoughts,
distractions and suffering cease to
exist. In Samadhi, the mind is
completely transcended. Practice of
the seven steps highlighted above
leads to the experience of Samadhi.
SAMADHI

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